Euro 2020 — Day 15

Rooting for the Netherlands. Always like to see the Dutch do well and looking forward to watching our next right back again (wishful thinking!!).

Also looking forward to Belgium v Portugal later. I don't know which way to call that one. A team full of great players versus a team with a great player.

Pleased to see the Azzurri through last night.

Do the pundits and presenters get a financial reward each time they mention 'Liverpool'? FFS

I've got the Dutch winning it all in my family group/bracket pool.

Not so much because I think they're good, but I know the entirety of my family would pick Germany, England, or Belgium. So the Dutch were a cheeky pick to separate myself from horde, er, my family.

I didn't even realize the jackass Frank deBoer was managing them! They'll never win under him, he's an idiot.

But we cling to hope and reach for the $35 grand prize the family pool pays out, ergo, Cmon Oranje!

Whatever happened to Holland?

Why would that player put that ball across the box and not head it down in the net? What the actual fuck?

He was offside anyway, but what was he thinking?

Test test 1,2 Crowley jr reporting in.

Oh dear Lord, the boy has joined TW.

Pray for me.

If we seal the deal for Dumfries I might give them a bit less stick over Benitez

Jamie, Dave and Tony beat you to it.

Some run that from Dumfries. Would he get away with that for Everton? Leaving his position like that.

Welcome to TW tendon.

Rendon! Welcome. UR pater is a good old TW contributor so good to see one of his offspring on here. Hells have to watch his language now!

Likes to lose the ball that Memphis Depay

Bill10, is Jamie bringing a bit of muscle to proceedings?

Jamie, if the rest of your extensive lineage start posting, the rest of us will never get a word in!

Jeff - I have to. I like Chardonnay! Muscle required!

The Dutch look great. But they need a goal. That Czech counter looks scary.

LOVE Budapest! Full crowds. It's so great to see again.

Rendon.

Good to hear from you son. If you are half a crazy as the old man you'll be a great Addition to the mad house

Jamie, 🍹💪😂

Thank you all for the welcomes my dads been talking about TW for years, wanted to check it out for myself..

7 Czech defenders in the box from the last play warding off the Dutch sheesh

Jamie, without wanting to appear rude might I ask how old your son and heir is?

Or to Rendon himself? 😁

Brian -

Rendon, also known as #3 of 5, is 20 years old. Currently a student enrolled at University of Alabama.

Good boy. They all are, thankfully.

Czechs defending well and a threat going forward too, good game developing.

Ah Jamie, good stuff.
So he'll already know the story of you, the two hookers, and the priest then? 😳

Brian -

That was meant for your ears only mate! SHHHHHH!

So it might be safe to summise he's tried the original and best Czech Bud then Jamie!

Lol. You DID warn him about TW I hope.

5 Jamie? Not firing blanks then!

Dumfries looks better each game. He'd be a great addition.

Brian, I expect no less

Extensively.

Good man Rendon. Welcome to the family. Steel yourself for a lifetime of pain, a pain like no other, but one you'd never ever want to be rid of. 🤣🤣🤣

Oh I know Brian I'm here for it.

Me and pops were just saying Dutch need a goal.. have to say though the Czechs have been solid good game thus far

Agree with that mate. Dutch the more skilled but if they don't press home their advantage the Czechs could punish them. Finely balanced game like.

Welcome to the blue madhouse Rendon.

Czechs growing into this game. I can see them sneaking this one.

You gotta be kidding me..

Should be red for De Ligt that.

How do you miss that???

Just shoot man..

Dutch 18 finishing one on ones like dcl

Told ya

Good decision I love var

Never a red. You can't say he intentionally batted the ball.

I dunno about that. Dutch in a world of shit now.

He intentionally batted the ball away.

Why isn't that a red? I mean, if we're dolling out reds for a guy falling down and hitting the ball with his arm, surely tackling a guy from behind, knee/calf high, intentionally, is a red?

Suspect all this.

Czechs playing "hack a Dutch".

Some stop that

What a defensive stop that was! Wow.

Was coming

Good night Dutch.

Jesus. Dutch just focusing too much anger at ref and not playing.

Big physical outfit the czechs none of them can trap a ball but they're 1 nil up!!

That was coming

100% deserved

It's deserved. Even in the first half they played fantastically. Sitting back and countering with real intent.

Czechs have played really well. Deserved lead.

God it's just hack, hack, hack. Working well! The Dutch don't like it up 'em!

Dutch need to concentrate on scoring rather than trying even the numbers up.

Dutch starting to cheat now - tarts

Christ, size of him

Meanwhile, Goliath comes on as a sub for Netherlands.

And the Czechs start the faking injury and time wasting.

Get up ya ninny!

6'6 183 lbs, yeah start crossing the ball Dutch

Schick shoots Schick scores

He's as sharp as a razor!

Wow.

That's my bracket busted.

Now rooting for Belgium and Bobby Brown Shoes.

Can the Dutch pull the goalie? 😂

Hopefully that's the last we see of DeBoner on the sidelines. How he landed there via Atlanta is not well understood

Anything that sees Wijnaldum lose is fine by me.

Shocking touch before the pass the technical ability has been pretty poor in this tournament except for some of the Danes

After that comment Michael I can only ask quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

I'm seeing a financial crisis.

Lots of bouncing Czechs.

Depay, de Ligt, de Roon, de Vrij, de Jong, de Boer - defeat.

And the Belgians, Barry.

The outbreak of puns on here might necessitate the wearing of a mask to avoid catching the disease

Mike

I have to be honest as much as I want Bobby to do well I haven't been that impressed by the Belgians but we'll see

My god how can a pro footballer not control that?

Turning point was Malen,s one on one where Vaclik saved.

All the czech lads look like ex russian special forces

de Boner fired by 8 pm BST tonight.

Won't make it down the tunnel before relieved of his duties.

Agreed Jeff, right after Malen blew that chance the red card happened, everything fell apart, Czechs deserve the win better team today

I was suspicious about the Dutch when DePay was advertised as their star man - utter wastrel

Mind you, any team whose 'keeper wears trackies should be deducted a goal from the outset

Now that is sorted Marcel, go and get Denzel signed up.

Just saw the replay of the hand ball.

I was wrong. 100% hand ball. Total red.

I suppose de boer might be available in a few minutes

Depay, cant see him lasting the year at Barca. Or his mate Koeman

The knock out games so much better than the group stages. Brilliant by the Czechs. Also more excellent refereeing - cynical cheating by DeLigt and got caught out by VAR.

Portugal v Belgium will be awesome. Although on Tuesday I cannot wait for England v Germany, classic game. Hope the English kill them krauts

David, I was not a fan of Memphis for a long time, but he really grew up the past two years at Lyon. I think he'll do just fine at Barca. But you're absolutely right about Koeman.

Rendon, let me add my welcome to TW. We will try not to hold your loud relation against you, but no promises. May we assume at least that you're not a chardonnay sipper?

Tendon (87), Welcome to ToffeeWeb Rendon, you sound like the brains of the family, nice initials, R,C. I bet your dad chose them especially.

Mike, l thought he'd improved also but he had no end product and kept giving the ball away. Not so sure Barca fans will put up with it.

Rendon, really looking forward to De Bruyne and Rom vs Ronaldo. Euros are hotting up. And its intrresting that Bruno Fernandes has been left out again

Rendon (87), Tendon? Started off on the wrong foot there!! Sorry mate, completely unintended, honest.

Still picking Belgium to win it all.

Mike n Dave thanks for the welcome! And Mike I'm more of a whiskey guy love me some jack daniels. Also Dave don't worry I get it a lot Tendon, Brendon, Brandon etc etc. I go by ren at home haha.

David, really interesting line up Portugal have put out..

Mike, if Belgium put in a good performance tonight and advance then it's hard to see beyond them, France maybe.

Rendon, at least most folks here won't tease you about being named after a third baseman. Brits don't get baseball.

Jeff, to me Italy looks like the only team capable of beating Belgium at the moment. France aren't playing very well. And of course without Digne they don't have a prayer.

...and the shocks begin.

De Ligt letting the ball bounce that way! I thought we all knew about that by six years old. The whole team looked very ordinary though, perhaps not so much of a shock.

I'm not sure Jamie, would call his child after a Texan, Mike, but you're correct mate because I don't know much about baseball, and welcome aboard Rendon, mate!

Mike, l was lucky enough to be in Canada for the Blue Jays in the early 90s but since then l have lost interest.

I think France have less weaknesses than others and maybe slowly warming up. We know Belgium weakness, and strenghts. Italy disappointed last time out. Maybe England do havr a chance, especially if Kane gets going.

Rendon #87, good man, pleased to see the old man has brought you up properly. Oh and, welcome to TW!

England and Germany must fancy their chances of at least making the final. Although, I still fancy Denmark as dark horses.

I think the last few posts show we have an open, interesting tournament.

I still can't believe Greece won it when they did.

I'm thinking France/Belgium vs England/Germany final. But strange things happen in football. Like Beneathus being manager of... l can't complete that sentence!!

Surprised Bruno Fernandes is not starting.

Cannot believe it , Cristiano can't sing … shocked tbh

David, the Greece one stood out for sure. A victory for incredibly industrial football, yet a weird inevitability about it at the time, just ground everyone down.

Jota scores that for the RS

How many times were we linked to Joa Mouhtino? (sp?). 1000+?

As your commentators would put it, they're going to rue that missed chance.

Jamie, if Nuno had come we would finally have got him!

Portugal have a team full of winners: Ronaldo. Bernardo Silva and Jota...what exactly has he won, apart from a dubious penalty or two???

Dude, Belgium are just fucking loaded. This lineup is insane.

Blimey, saw a post that said "Welcome Rendon" and thought for a minute Benitez had already made his first signing, Rondon from Newcastle. Relieved to see it's only Jamie's son!! Missed the second half of the Dutch game, so was it a shock, or did the Czechs deserve to win? The Czechs looked the better team in the first half.

Oh, and welcome Rendon. Yer arl fella don't half talk some shite, but we put up with him!! 😁😁😁

Joke Jamie, joke!! 😁😁😁

Rob, when Benitez snuck out of China, he left Rondon behind. (I picture him standing in front of his hotel in Dalian with his bags, waiting for Rafa to give him a ride to the airport.) Anyway, Rondon is now at CSKA.

Will, Greece seemed to win in slow motion.

I wonder if Martinez returned would he would play such a high line with Godfrey, Mina & Holgate/keane. I'm not sure our opposition would sit off us like Portugal are

Rob, Czechs deserved the victory hands down, Dutch where poor second half.

Can we please sign Witsel? Kid looks fantastic.

Rob -

I didn't ever consider it wasn't a joke! Love it.

You can see why euro style tika taka chess footy doesn't catch on here it's like watching paint dry. The "off" button beckons

Wow Barry it's only been on 18 minutes!

Jamie, the "kid" is 32 and coming off a torn Achilles.

We were rumored in for him five or six years ago when he was playing in Russia, but he went to China instead for some insane money.

Ronaldo completely getting bullshit on him.

Did you hear him yell? Embarrassing.

Mike -

He looks like he's 23!!! Shocking!

Hard pass then. TY.

Ronaldo close. What a shot the guy has got.

Now that's how ya hit a free kick. Laces through the ball and try to kill the keeper.

How Bruno F cannot get in this team is amazing.

Strange after the high energy of the earlier game... this is a real stinker.

Ronaldo is on the Branson, Musk list of Anti Christ candidates - the man is amazing

Jeff, l can only think its because they want to play a counter attacking game.

Slowww game this but we know some magic is coming

David I get that to a point but they're playing with 3 DM,s, Fernandes would support Ronaldo who looks isolated.

Can't wait for the chess to be over and the football to start.

My eyelids are heavier than Vermalen's torso.

I'm sure this game will be far from boring 2nd half.

By the way, Lu got completely pulled back and no foul. What is the ref looking at?

Another example of the tournament-wide plague of absolute shit refereeing. Clear and obvious yellow.

And this guy is the top ref in Europe, gets all the games.

100% we see him in the second half. As Mike says pretty boring, even for chess.

We were in for both Witzel and Moutihno a few years ago.

First corner of the game... played short. Such a frustrating game with so much talent on show

Mike, it's one of those refereeing inconsistencies, does he blow once the move breaks down, or does he let play go on and not let Lukaku have both bites of the cherry? Most refs blow up once the move breaks down, free kick and yellow, but Belgium gain 2 goes at it, conundrum for me.

Ooooo! That's more like it!

And theres the magic

WOAH

Oh wow!!! The OTHER brother. WOW! Great strike!

Absofuckinglutely brilliant.

Hazardddddd. Thorghen

That's the guy I've pointed to as their secret weapon. Watch him all the time at Dortmund and he's just awesome.

Hazard lights the game up. Cracker.

Paulhina is a liability

Still predicting 2-0 for a final here.

The bummer is that if Belgium wins, they play Italy next. The two best teams meeting in the quarters. Tough break.

I'm enjoying the dual-Crowley act. Rendon, I hope you stick around.

Mike (120) - I remember that. We were heavily linked to Witsel during Koeman's first summer. He was also linked to AC Milan and Juventus and it seemed pretty obvious (to me anyway) that he preferred moving to Italy and was just trying to leverage our interest. Then he ended up taking the big Chinese payday instead.

Davjd, # 150, what's George Michael got to do with it? 😁😁😁

David, 114,

funnily enough, I thought Portugal played a lot like Everton did for much of last season.

They're going to have to change big time for the second half.

Will, I think Fernandes would make a difference.

Mike, 152,

sadly it takes fixtures like that to add to any small chance that old Blighty has...

Jeff, he'll be on at some stage.

Rob 154, our club has gone to the mens toilets. Its certainly not club tropicana!

Agreed Will
Hopefully a very different second half

Exactly Will this coach doesn't know what to do with talent like Goncalves, Fernandez and Felix. He is just so negative.

Delighted for Hazard as he's had a poor season after a bad injury and has struggled to get back consistently in the Dortmund side this season. What a goal.

Curious half.

Portugal controlling the game without dominating it. Belgium off the pace as they were in the 1st half v Denmark until Hazard the Younger thumped one home.

Jota should have done a lot, LOT better with his early chance set up by Renato Sanches. What a player transformed he is looking.

Still in the balance, but Portugal definitely need the next goal and avoid getting caught on the break as they search for the equaliser.

The two halves of the draw certainly give England a decent path to progress if they can take it.

Will #157, always enjoy learning new words. Blighty.

DeBruyne nasty looking ankle twist there.

Big miss for Belgium!

That foul knocked de Bruyne out. And changes the tournament.

Met George Michael in Australia many years ago when he was part of Wham - good company.

Welcome Rendon - a bit behind everybody else but that's me - just like EFC's defence.

Shame, l hope he isn't out too long. Sanchez looks good doesnt he.

Some feisty looking challenges going in here

Game getting tasty.

E. Hazard is still a joy to watch

Time for Felix and Fernandes

Might be me, but Belgium look pretty good at the back.

Not very BBS like? Perhaps he's learned?

Hmm okay, now lets see what happens.

One thing about the dutch going out is Dumfries is now free to sign for the blues!!

Lukaku constantly having a go at his teammates for not passing the ball to him reminds me of why so many of our fans just weren't so fond of him. Fine line between desire and greedy knob.

Portugal got some talent out there now.

Amen, Ian.

Slowed by that ankle, probably doomed to an early exit like Marco Van Basten, but still pure class.

Eden Hazard much better tonight, needed game time and it's working.

They do Jeff, lots of young players too. Future looks good for Portugal.

Although England have too.

I tell ya what, l was spoiled growing up watching Brazil, 82 playing tournament football, compared to this.

Mike Gaynes -

Does Witsel remind you of McKennie?

Really impressed with Sanches - hard to imagine he was a failure at Swansea

Yes David,Renato Sanches really getting his mojo back after being in the doldrums at Swansea.

Rom bodying Pepe, always good to see (:

I hate Bruno Fernandes. Snarky little shit of a player.

If he was an Everton player I'd love him, but he's not. He's secretively dirty and nasty.

Jamie #178, more properly put the other way around since Witsel is the senior member, but yes, they are similar players, both in physical stature and characteristics. McKennie may be slightly more attack-minded given his ability in the air.

Imagine Ronaldo's face if he were to be the subject of a tactical substitution.

Mike I agree. He reminds me of Weston completely.

Weston, and yes I know Juve signed him, is so underrated in my opinion.
He's going to be an amazing player.

Witsel really reminds me of him a lot. A ton of amazing "little things" he does superbly.

The chances of that happening Tony?

Wasnt Sanchez played wide at Swansea?

Kicking off now

Pepe with yet another red surely!!!!

Ian #179, if I was 20 years old and a bit immature and I'd just been banished from Bayern to Swansea, I'd probably have been sulky too.

As likely as me buying and displaying red bunting the day Rafa becomes our manager, Ian

Pepe you momentous ass.. what a dirty player

Yellow!!???

Portugal diving all over the place. Pepe an after the whistle body check.

Really want Belgium to win now.

Take your point Mike - he certainly looks the part now

Red all day long

This has all the makings of Belgium running away and scoring a second. And you all know my success record as a forecaster.

This is more like a BBS defence set up!

Unmarked header. Unmarked shot. Belgium extremely careless at the back.

Lukaku with the worst free kick of the tournament.

Never hear the end of this if Belgium blow this lead.

C'mon Bobby! Hold on.

Carrasco a VERY overdue sub. Roberto still doesn't know how to manage the end of a game. This looks way too much like the West Ham game for me.

Brilliant from Lukaku

Mike, It's a wonder he didn't bring Benteke on in the Niasse role!

Belgian fans experiencing what it's like to see out a game under Roberto.

BBC Text

86 mins
Post update
Belgium 1-0 Portugal

Up the other end and Romelu Lukaku's touch lets him down

Phil, we must be watching different Lukakus. He's been superb.

Belgium should of had 2 but last pass missing again and again

Martinez makes a sub in injury time giving Portugal another minute

Too right Tony! Great second half though

Belgium and Roberto defend a 1 goal lead and win.

Well I never!

Yes! Belgium, baby. On to Italy.

Phew, another Euro day bites the dust
Goodnight all

Belgium 100% record. Knock out the champions. Clean sheet against a barrage of attacking from about 400 million worth of attacking talent.

And Martinez still gets slaughtered on here.

Locals won't be very happy in Madeira tomorrow!! 😄😄

Roberto is very lucky there, and Lukaku worked his socks off without any support. Belgium very disappointing, but yes won.

Big night Tuesday.

and we are the late game. last one in we hope.

Come on Fran lighten up - just good fun

Belgium without Hazard and de Bruyne can't beat a fully healthy Italy. They need at least one of those guys in the lineup.

Rob, your not that bad, all things considered.😎

Great post Fran...but Dendoncker is world class don't you know

Best team on the night lost, but credit due to Belgium and BBS's presumed weakness - defence. They were severely tested tonight and came through it. Their fat lazy lump at number 9 looks half decent too.

Not getting any easier for Belgium. Italy up next.

Mike - at our second home in France. End of the line for internet and no TV. Will get home and not watched one game.

Have to follow on the BBC text.

Jeff, took me a few seconds to work that one out!!

I'm glad Belgium won that, simply because Portugal with all that talent, didn't need to start the game being so cautious.

Really enjoyed the game.

Terrible, poor quality, boring game.

Well, turned out very eventful - great entertainment for a 1-0, later on. Bit tasty here and there but nothing wrong with some traditional stuff. The right score maybe, just about. And Belgium can defend, at least with five.

Rob, have a go of the toboggans after getting off the cable car.If your in Funchal that is.

Oh no!!

Did Bobby's Belgium knock out the much fancied Portugal and Ronaldo?

Cue the bizarre hatred.

Rob #214, buy 'em a round and commiserate.

Fran #213, I'm cheering for Belgium and Bobby. I wouldn't say he got "slaughtered." But tell me honestly you don't think Roberto shouldn't have made those changes earlier, that his guys didn't ride their luck in the last 15 minutes. They gave up chance after chance.

Phil #222, I wasn't ragging you... when I said "we" were seeing different Roms, I meant me and the BBC, not me and you. (Hey, I would never dispute a guy with a second home in France!!)

Pete #225 and Colin #226, your diametrically opposite yet simultaneous posts (22 seconds apart) made me laugh out loud!

Jeff and Rob, yes in the wicker baskets. It was a long time ago I was there though. I also seem to remember Merera brandy on the island also.

Three chances Mike all game. No De Bruyne and had to carry Witsel and Hazard in that second half. If Bobby managed Portugal they would have won at a canter.

Jeff and Joe. Have been told about the wicker basket toboggans. Can be quite scary so I've been told, so right up my street!!

Conor #232, you just inadvertently made my point for me. They didn't have to "carry Witsel and Hazard in that second half".

Roberto had lots of quality subs available and could have taken them both off 20 minutes earlier... and with both of them coming off injuries and not being fully fit, he should have done exactly that. Instead he left Hazard on the pitch too long (with disastrous consequences) and kept Carrasco and Dedoncker on the bench until the last few minutes.

And he left two subs completely unused. I expected to see Praet for the tiring Tielemans or Meunier at some point. Didn't happen.

Sorry, I think Roberto mishandled the second half of the second half with the same hesitancy to substitute that he demonstrated so often on our touchline.

Last 20 mins was fun, but the preceding 70 mins was dull as feck in my opinion. Portugal should have won that, but its their own fault they didn't. I'd like to see Italy beat them, but this trophy does seem to have Belgium's name on it. Depends how bad the injuries are to De Bruyne and E. Hazard I guess.

Phil # 216. Hope you haven't got other plans for Tuesday @ 5pm, as England v Germany is the first game, not the second one on Tuesday

You keep talking about subs. Praet can't get a game at Leicester. A lot of poor players on that bench. He defended with seven. Personally I agree I would have taken Hazard off but if Portugal score you have no De Bruyne or Hazard so you are going out if they equalise. 1-1 and you still have a threat to win it in the ninety.

I missed the Belguim v Portugal match but sounds like it was a classic let down when you consider the talent on display. Nice goal to finish it mind, looking at the highlights this morning.

I was impressed with the Czech Republic. Defensively solid and organised. And in Schick, they have a goal scorer who has gone under the radar (relatively speaking) as he made his way through Serie A and the Bundesliga.

Still only 25, I can see a few chasing his signature this summer. I would.

At least Dumfries is out of the window now. Go sign him Mr Brands.

What a comeback by Switzerland seems the cockerels are coming home to roost after being plucked